DNC Candidate Questionnaires

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On Sunday June 15th, the Executive Board (E-Board) of the California Democratic Party will elect 19 delegates to the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

The DNC members, super delegates each elected to a four-year term, may participate on the Democratic Party's platform, rules or other committees and be seated at the 2012 Democratic Party convention, when delegates vote for a Presidential nominee.

A group of progressive California Democratic Party Executive Board members are organizing the Progressive E-Board Coalition, asking DNC candidates to fill out a questionnaire on ending the US occupation of Iraq, developing alternative energy, campaigning for public financing of elections, working to eliminate poverty, safeguarding the integrity of our vote, abolishing the death penalty, and much more.

The Progressive E-Board Coalition plans to circulate the questionnaires at the E-Board meeting, when hundreds of members are expected to vote on DNC candidates. Sure to stimulate conversation is the question -- How have you used your activism or Party involvement to challenge the leadership's support for war funding?

To find out where a DNC candidate stands on de-funding the war and more, click on a specific candidate or scroll down to view questionnaires.

To show where each questionnaire begins and ends, questionnaires alternate in red and blue.

**NEW - Click here to tell us what qualities you want in a DNC Member,

** NEW - Click here to view Democrats responses to what they want in a DNC Member .

Click on a Candidate (in order received):

Christopher Stampolis

Ahjamu Makalani

David Sonneborn

Or Scroll Down:

Progressive E-Board Coalition - DNC Candidate Questionnaire

Mal Burnstein/Progressive Caucus Northern California Co-Chair

(answers received on 5/22/08 5:27 PM)

If you are an incumbent DNC member, what have you done as a DNC member to
promote the progressive agenda on the following issues:

a) Ending the US occupation of Iraq
b) Eliminating Poverty
C) Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
D) Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted as cast)
E) Preventing a US attack on Iran
F) Preserving a free and open Internet
G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney
H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration
I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality

If you are not an incumbent, what have you done to address the issues enumerated above?

I have been active through the progressive caucus and otherwise on most of these issues for many years. We (the progressive caucus) did a paper and a forum on Iraq (and Iran), some of our paper is now in the party platform at our insistence; eliminating poverty is a plank in the progressive caucus platform; we did a paper and forum on single payer, and I fought to get it in the party platform; I have been a grassroots supporter of eliminating the DRE machines with no paper trail, and a long time supporter of public financing of elections, both of which are a progressive caucus priority, and I fought to get public financing of elections into the party platform, I have worked with Loni Hancock on public financing since long before she went to the Assembly, have been a strong supporter of AB 583, and took the lead in getting it into the CDP platform; I have advocated eliminating the death penalty for years – both politically and professionally -- and was on an ACLU project to repeal it in the 70’s; I haven’t done much on alternate energy, except in my own life.

; the progressive caucus has supported net neutrality and got it in the party platform; the caucus had a forum on impeachment; I have continuously opposed our bloated prison industry at the expense of our schools and colleges, and the incarceration of so many of our young people; and I have strongly, both inside and outside the party professionally, personally and politically, supported LGBT rights and marriage equality.

If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted for the most recent 178-billion dollar war package?

Along side Barbara Lee, against the war and all war funding.

How have you used your activism or Party involvement to challenge the leadership's support for war funding?

The progressive caucus paper and forum opposed war funding; I have posted opposing it, signed petitions and marched on that issue.

Have you ever supported an insurgent primary candidate or someone who is challenging

an incumbent on the issues? Explain.

Yes. I was one of those running the campaign of Bob Scheer against pro war (Viet Nam war) Democratic Congressman Jeffrey Cohelan in 1965-66. Then, when the Scheer campaign narrowly failed, I supported both John George and Ron Dellums (successfully) against Cohelan. I have supported many challenges to incumbents around the country since then, including the challenge to Jane Harmon in 06. I wrote the resolution asking the Party to censure Feinstein.

What qualifies you, in terms of your organizing work, to represent progressive values on the E-Board? or

Why should progressives on the CDP E-Board vote for you as a DNC delegate?.

Because of my almost 50 yr. history of working for progressive change, both personally and professionally (in my civil rights and civil liberties practice). Viz:

? Active in CDC in the 1960’s when it was the center of progressivism in the CDP.

? Attorney for, and member of CORE (and an attorney for the NAACP, and the Ad Hoc Committee to end Segregation) when we desegregated employment in department stores, markets, banks, hotels, auto showrooms, restaurants, etc. in Northern California.

? Chief counsel for the Free Speech Movement at UCB.

? Active opponent of the War in Viet Nam, including planning anti war marches.

? Ran (with several others) an anti war candidate (Bob Scheer) against an incumbent pro war Democratic Congressman (Jeffrey Cohelan); supported Ron Dellums in his successful campaign against the same Democratic incumbent.

? Active opponent of the War on and occupation of Iraq.

? Participated in the running of campaigns of, and supported numerous progressive candidates for local office, Assembly and Senate.

? Strong supporter of Barbara Lee and treasurer of her leadership PAC (One Voice).

? I was an early and strong supporter of Howard Dean, and went to Iowa for that campaign.

? One of seven founders of the Progressive Caucus of the CDP.

? Significant role in getting the 2006 platform (carried over to the 2008 platform) to adopt public financing of elections and single payer planks.

? ?Author of the resolution to censure Feinstein.

Do you think we should have super delegates? Why or why not?

Not so that they can override the will of the majority of the party’s voters. It is, not to put too fine a point on it, undemocratic.

Are you running on a slate with other candidates? If so, who are the other candidates running on your slate and what was the process for choosing these candidates to run with you?

I am running with Mayme Hubert, Ralph Miller, Karen Bernal and Norman Solomon. We talked among ourselves and decided to run as a slate because we agree on issues and the role of the DNC. There was no process by which we were selected.

What experience has prepared you to run as a DNC member?

My lifetime as a people’s lawyer and my many years of experience in grassroots and progressive politics, some of the specifics of which are listed above, constitute the experience I can call upon as a candidate for, and a member of the DNC.

On which committee(s) would you like to serve and what are your personal
goals for each committee?

I want to serve on the Rules and Bylaws committee. My goals will be to rationalize the nominating process to eliminate the Florida and Michigan problem in 2012, and to do away with the situation in which super delegates can defeat the majority of voters of the party.

DNC Questionnaire

Rachel Binah (incumbent)

(received 5/25/08 2:59 PM)

What qualifies you, in terms of your organizing work, to represent progressive values on the E-Board? or

Why should progressives on the CDP E-Board vote for you as a DNC delegate?.

Many of us have an important (as Christine Pelosi says in her book,) "calling" to politics. (Otherwise, we wouldn't spend all our time and all our money to be involved!) The subject of these 'callings' vary between us but, in combination, include all of the major progressive issues of our time. Of course we are generalists in the sense that we care about all of the issues on the Democratic Party Platform list -- but we are also "specialists". Most of us work together as a team to cover all the bases.

I am your voice for the environment on the DNC.

My major concern is the environment (I am the Chair Emeritus of the Environmental Caucus, served on the Platform Committee as Chair of the Environmental Plank, and also on the Resolutions Committee)-- but even in that general category, I must chose one or two major things upon which to focus. I, along with others of the community in which I live, have been instrumental in protecting the coast of California from new offshore oil development. If I had no focus but picked ALL important issues, I would have no clout on those I feel are most important to ME.

The best advice I have ever been given: I was told by, former Representative Sala Burton (member of congress representing San Francisco) that when I walk into a room, the elected officials in that room should know that I want no offshore oil -- without my having to say a word.

We have to pick our battles. Each of us has an area of expertise to offer in order make this a better and, yes more progressive, country.

That said, here are the answers to your issue questions.

a) Iraq War: In the months before the Iraq invasion, I spoke at a plenary session of the DNC regarding the 2000 pound elephant in the room about which none of the presenters was speaking. I begged the DNC to take a position in opposition to what appeared to be, and ultimately was, a rush to a war with a country not involved in the events of September 11th. At that time, there were millions of people marching in the streets of the major cities of the world. I was the only person to speak openly and perhaps with some insistent and consistent naivete at that particular meeting -- although most were, and still are, in total opposition to our involvement in Iraq!

The DNC was not taking a position for two reasons.

#1 Because a few of our elected officials were in support of the war (because they had been given erroneous or outright untrue information) and some were afraid they would be viewed as unpatriotic if they didn't support the administration. (You may remember that those were the days when 9/11 was linked over and over again to Iraq even though to many of us there was no connection. You will also remember that although there was only one vote against entering Afghanistan, most Democrats voted against going to war with Iraq.)

#2 They were focusing on the presidential election of 2004 and felt the DNC should concentrate on the issues in that election process. They actually believed that the war would be over in "6 weeks"!

Our country and ALL THAT WE CARE ABOUT is suffering from the hemorrhaging of money and loss of life because of this needless and irrational war.

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b) Eliminating Poverty: I have not been able to eliminate poverty but do contribute money and time for various organizations. (food bank, children's fund for support services, etc.) I support the Democratic Party platform. I also strongly support unions and working families. I am a member of the CTA and the Labor Caucus. Good paying jobs -- at a living wage -- are an important part of the elimination of poverty -- as are health care and education and many other considerations. I support minimum wage increases. I support a Living Wage. I support the need for homeless people to get help in the form of places to live, shelters, low cost housing, rent control and for those who do not wish to live in shelters, places to shower (keep clean), get health care and food.

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c) Universal Single Payer Health Care: The only way we can have quality universal health care is if we eliminate the middle man. (insurance companies) I have expressed my opinion on this issue verbally and in letters to every elected official with whom I have contact. I also helped to work on the platform language in several cycles.

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d) Making each vote count: I was involved with my county's choice and selection of voting equipment and we have a paper trail for it. I supported Debra Bowen for Secretary of State.

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e) Invading Iran: The reason I endorsed Bill Richardson for President is because he was the first one of the candidates to say we must make peace with our enemies through negotiation --talking being the most obvious and important aspect of negotiating. As a 5 time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and our Ambassador to the UN, I felt he would be the best of the candidates to create renewed respect for our country in the world and avoid unnecessary conflict and outright war.

Invading Iran appears to me to be a foolish and dangerous idea at which we would not only fail (because we do not have the troop levels to support -- or the money to supply even if we did)but would further disrupt the middle east and not help our neighbors, friends or allies. All-together a frightening thought........ and one I strongly oppose. Our country is hemoraging from the war effort in Iraq.

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f) Free & Open Internet. I supported the resolution, passed at our Executive Board and Convention, to that effect.

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g) Impeachment/Indictment: Impeachment is too good for Bush and Cheney. They are war criminals and should be in prison for the rest of their lives. (I do NOT support the death penalty). I don't think there is any question that they would already have been impeached if we had the votes in both the House and the Senate to over-ride a Republican veto!

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h)Education over Incarceration: I am a member of the California Teacher's Association, a mentor for teenagers in my community, and a strong supporter of education. I teach political action in the various high schools in my community. Obviously, unless education is available to all, we will continue to put more and more people in prison.

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i) Marriage Equality: I support the LGBT community and believe the quest for civil rights and equality is universal. Our society is better off when people are encouraged to form lasting committed relationships and marriage equality for all should be a goal.

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I have added 5 new categories which were not on your list:

J. IMMIGRATION REFORM. Not on your list ? HOW COME? I have marched in solidarity with the undocumented immigrants in my community because they have given so much to us and because I believe they should be welcomed, given respect -- AND drivers licenses and citizenship if they want it.

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K. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE RIGHTS Not on your list?

I support a woman's right to chose what to do with her body. I served on the board of a woman's shelter/hotline for rape and domestic violence. The CAARE project.

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L. ENVIRONMENTAL OIL/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY EFFORTS -- there are no environmental issues on your questionnaire.........

see above.

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M. SENIOR Issues -- not on your list

I served on the board of the regional senior center on the coast of my county. I am especially concerned about day programs for the elderly who have Alzheimers and Parkinson's disease. My father died of Alzheimer's Disease and I took care of both parents before they died -- as most people in this country will have to do, in one way or another -- if their parents live long enough. These are issues for people both old and young.

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N. MENTAL HEALTH - not on your list of questions

I am the former Chair of the Mental Health Advisory Board of Mendocino County and a strong advocate for services for people with emotional and developmental disability difficulties.

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O. DEATH PENALTY - I oppose

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If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted for the most recent 178-billion dollar war package?

If I had been in Congress, I would have voted against going into or funding the war. Further I would have voted to give vets benefits for education and health care.

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Have you ever supported an insurgent primary candidate or someone who is challenging

an incumbent on the issues? Explain.

I once (in the 1980's) had the fantasy of challenging my then congressman who was not willing to publicly object to or work against off shore oil development. (This in a district which comprises 1/3 of the California coast and strongly opposed all offshore drilling!) After forming an exploratory committee and seriously considering a candidacy, I didn't run, because among MANY other reasons, I realized I didn't want to be a generalist in congress.) The congressman did eventually lose his seat -- and for that issue.

It is a very serious matter to challenge an incumbent Democrat. To support that kind of undermining effort, no matter how well meant, must never be perceived to be a frivolous nor self-aggrandizing action. And more importantly, must be possible to achieve without loosing that seat to a Republican. I know of no one with whom I agree completely all of the time. I even disagree with myself upon occasion.....................

We will not succeed in having a more progressive party, or country, or turn red areas blue, without understanding that an elected official MUST be a suitable fit for his or her district. My own current congressman is a Blue Dog Democrat. Although we sometimes disagree, he voted against the war originally, against funding the war, and supports the environmental issues about which I care so passionately. I have supported him -- although he is not a clone of me -- and will continue to do so. He represents our district VERY WELL.

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WHAT EXPERIENCE HAS PREPARED YOU TO RUN AS A DNC MEMBER?

Please do not discriminate against people who have been in the party for more than the last election cycle. We have something to offer. We have made valuable relationships with people from all over the country. We use that access well, on your behalf. We care about what you care about. Our strategies may sometimes be different, but our goals are the same. You can teach us some new tricks. We can teach you some things too. In order to be successful, we need everyone!

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DNC Questionnaire – Steve Young (congressional candidate)

(received responses – 5/25/08 11:38 am)

IF YOU ARE NOT A DNC INCUMBENT, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING ISSUES?

    A) Ending the US occupation of Iraq
    I was the first PDA-endorsed candidate because I openly, and consistently oppose the occupation of Iraq. See my web site, www.SteveYoungforcongress.com/ for my policy platform to bring our sons and daughters home.

    B) Eliminating Poverty
    I have campaigned to fully fund Head Start for all eligible children, cut taxes for the middle class and insist on "fair share" taxation, committed to better education for the poor, reforming welfare to include broader job training programs, fighting for tough, effective trade laws and encourage investment in research and development for emerging technologies, advocating FHA loans with higher limits so renters can become home owners, health care for all, and launching a domestic GI bill to guarantee a college education to everyone willing to give two years community service as police officers, teachers, health care personnel, and other vital professions.

    C) Promoting Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
    I support single payer universal healthcare. My website, www.steveyoungforcongress.com prominently displays a “Healthcare not Warfare” button.

    D) Ensuring Election Integrity
    I supported Debra Brown’s election as California’s Secretary of State. She has established election integrity standards that I support making the national standard.

    E) Preventing a US attack on Iran
    I have appeared on Farsi language television, broadcast live around the world and opposed an attack on Iran. I have posted blog diaries, and written editorials opposing an attack on Iran.

    F) Preserving a free and open Internet
    I support a free and open Internet.

    G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney
    I was endorsed by ImpeachPAC. I have advocated impeachment on DailyKos. I have signed petitions calling for impeachment.

    H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration
    I have not, though I support the concept. Rehabilitation is more effective than punishment.

    I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality
    I am endorsed by ECCO, Orange County’s LGBT because of my consistent and longstanding support for equality and fair treatment of LGBT persons.

    J) Promoting public financing of elections
    It is one of my campaign platforms to get lobbyists out of the pockets of our leaders.

    K) Abolishing the death penalty
    I have not done anything to eliminate the death penalty.

    L) Promoting alternative energy/energy independence
    I advocate renewable clean energy as a fundamental plank of my campaign for congress.

IF YOU HAD BEEN IN CONGRESS, HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED FOR THE MOST RECENT 178-BILLION DOLLAR WAR PACKAGE?

    Only if time tables for withdrawal of our troops had remained in the bill. Upon removal of the time tables, I oppose the funding bill.

HOW HAVE YOU USED YOUR ACTIVISM OR PARTY INVOLVEMENT TO CHALLENGE THE LEADERSHIP'S SUPPORT FOR WAR FUNDING?

    I speak out against the occupation and the funding for it. I see the elimination of funding as the only way to precipitate a withdrawal of our soldiers from Iraq.

HAVE YOU EVER SUPPORTED AN INSURGENT PRIMARY CANDIDATE OR SOMEONE WHO IS CHALLENGING AN INCUMBENT ON THE ISSUES? EXPLAIN.

    For the last three years, I have been an insurgent progressive primary candidate challenging an incumbent on the issues. I have spent $350,000 of my own money to do so. I continue to challenge the incumbent in the Ca-48th district.

WHAT QUALIFIES YOU, IN TERMS OF YOUR ORGANIZING WORK, TO REPRESENT PROGRESSIVE VALUES ON THE E-BOARD?

    I have put 200 precinct captains in place in my district. Every two weeks I conduct precinct organizing courses in my campaign office. I teach organizing and precinct networking. My whole campaign is a grassroots-based organizing campaign.

DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD HAVE SUPER DELEGATES? WHY OR WHY NOT?

    I oppose the concept of super delegates. I am an elected delegate for Obama to the National Convention. I attended the delegate meeting in Sacramento recently, and watched the way the appointed delegates were pushed through. The super delegates and the appointed delegates dilute the power of the elected delegates. We need representative delegates that express the will of the voters, not the back room deals of party insiders. I intend as a member of the DNC to advocate to eliminate super delegates and to make all delegates “elected delegates.”

ARE YOU RUNNING ON A SLATE WITH OTHER CANDIDATES? IF SO, WHO ARE THE OTHER CANDIDATES RUNNING ON YOUR SLATE AND WHAT WAS THE PROCESS FOR CHOOSING THESE CANDIDATES TO RUN WITH YOU?

    Not that I know of, though I would like to run with other progressive candidates for the DNC.

WHAT EXPERIENCE HAS PREPARED YOU TO RUN AS A DNC MEMBER?

    After three years running as a candidate in a very difficult district, I feel that I know as much as anyone about what it takes to win. That is the purpose of the DNC is to win. I want to bring a progressive voice, experienced in electioneering, to the DNC to advocate for a progressive Democratic strategy for victory.

ON WHICH COMMITTEE(S) WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE AND WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL GOALS FOR EACH COMMITTEE?

    I want to serve on the budget and finance committee (however membership is limited so the likelihood is remote). I would also like an appointment to the Rules and Bylaws Committee. As a member of that committee, I feel that recommendations for amendment of the bylaws or adoption of rules for the DNC can lead to a progressive change to the DNC and the party.

Steve Young, Candidate for DNC
"Restoring trust to the DNC"
(949) 338-4459

101 Pacifica #100
Irvine, California 92618

From: Norman Solomon

Progressive E-Board Coalition

DNC Candidate Questionnaire

Norman Solomon (received 5/26/08 1:37 PM)

If you are an incumbent DNC member, what have you done as a DNC member to
promote the progressive agenda on the following issues:

A) Ending the US occupation of Iraq
B) Eliminating Poverty
C) Promoting Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
D) Ensuring Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted as cast)
E) Preventing a US attack on Iran
F) Preserving a free and open Internet
G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney
H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration
I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality

J) Promoting public financing of elections

K) Abolishing the death penalty

L) Promoting alternative energy/energy independence

If you are not a DNC incumbent, what have you done to address the issues enumerated above?

A) Ending the US occupation of Iraq

From 2002 to the present, I’ve vocally opposed the invasion and occupation of Iraq with actions including:

* organized and went on three pre-invasion peace missions to Baghdad (with former U.S. Senator James Abourezk, D-S.D.; actor/director Sean Penn; former UN Assistant Secretary General Denis Halliday);

* appeared on CNN and other major TV networks as a guest more than a dozen times to argue for diplomacy instead of a U.S. attack;

* wrote the books Target Iraq: What the News Media Didn’t Tell You (2003) and War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death (2005);

* spoke on literally hundreds of radio and TV programs against the occupation and against manipulation of media for the war during the last five years including as an interviewee in Bill Moyers’ recent PBS documentary Buying the War;

* wrote dozens of articles every year against the occupation;

* participated as a speaker in antiwar forums and protests in about 20 states;

* participated in the Congressional Progressive Caucus screening of the film War Made Easy, based on my book of the same name, on Capitol Hill in December 2007;

* have worked as a member of my local chapters of Democracy For America and Progressive Democrats of America to strengthen grassroots activism for ending the war;

* spoke from the floor of the 2007 California Democratic Convention in opposition to preventing a vote on a strong out-of-Iraq resolution;

* have worked as a member of the state party’s Progressive Caucus to strengthen antiwar positions;

* lobbied against the war at the Capitol in Washington.

B) Eliminating Poverty

I’ve consistently advocated for the elimination of poverty in many hundreds of speeches and articles and in active support of many Democratic candidates since 1972.

C) Promoting Universal Single-Payer Healthcare

I’m the founder and coordinator of North Bay Healthcare Not Warfare, which works in support of Sen. Sheila Kuehl’s S.B. 840 and in support of Rep. John Conyers’ H.R. 676. I am also co-chair of the national Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign along with co-chairs Donna Smith (featured in Sicko), Marilyn Clement (national coordinator of Healthcare-NOW) and Rep. Conyers, with the goal of universal single-payer healthcare. I have spoken at events for single-payer healthcare from Santa Rosa and Sacramento to New York City and Washington, D.C.

D) Ensuring Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted as cast)

In my capacity as the executive director of the nonprofit Institute for Public Accuracy, I have worked on dozens of national news releases to expose undemocratic breaches of election integrity and to get progressive advocates for election protection onto TV and radio.

E) Preventing a US attack on Iran

In 2005, I traveled to Tehran and met with a wide range of citizens and officials. For several years I’ve written and spoken widely against any attack on Iran.

F) Preserving a free and open Internet

Beginning in the early 1990s, I’ve spoken out and written many articles warning against commercialization and censorship of the Internet. I have written and spoken often for “net neutrality” as an activist and as a longtime associate of the media watchdog group FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting).

G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney

I worked for the pro-impeachment resolution at the 2007 California Democratic Convention and have spoken in favor of impeachment at rallies and forums.

H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration

I’ve spoken at public events for sharp increases in education funding and sharp decreases in funding for prisons in California, as well as for major new funding to help former prisoners on the outside.

I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality

I’ve spoken at forums and other events unequivocally in favor of LGBT rights and marriage equality.

J) Promoting public financing of elections

As a member of the national advisory board of Progressive Democrats of America, I work in support of PDA’s core position for public financing and clean elections. I’ve spoken out for those positions on many radio programs over the years.

K) Abolishing the death penalty

At San Quentin, I’ve participated in protests against executions and have written against the death penalty, including in my 2007 book Made Love, Got War: Close Encounters With America’s Warfare State. I have spoken at forums and rallies to abolish the death penalty.

L) Promoting alternative energy/energy independence

As an activist I began working to support solar and wind energy -- in tandem with working on nonviolent direct action campaigns against nuclear power -- during the late 1970s. Since then, I’ve often spoken out in favor of clean renewable energy.

If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted for the most recent 178-billion dollar war package?

I would have voted an emphatic “No.”

How have you used your activism or Party involvement to challenge the leadership's support for war funding?

Please see my response to question “A” above. Also, I’ve strongly supported my antiwar Congressman Lynn Woolsey. In addition, in the process of calling for an end to congressional acquiescence to Iraq war funding, I’ve written countless articles and have often spoken on radio and TV including as a guest several times on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal program.

Have you ever supported an insurgent primary candidate or someone who is challenging an incumbent on the issues? Explain.

I supported Donna Edwards’ successful primary challenge to Rep. Al Wynn in Maryland.

What qualifies you, in terms of your organizing work, to represent progressive values on the E-Board? or Why should progressives on the CDP E-Board vote for you as a DNC delegate?

The range and extent of my work outlined in this questionnaire -- and overall my 40 years of activism for the environment, peace, economic justice, civil rights, social justice and civil liberties -- have prepared me to represent progressive values effectively. Online readers of this questionnaire can see a short video interview of me on the subject of “progressive values” at:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_edwin_ru_080523_progressive_values_s.htm

Do you think we should have super delegates? Why or why not?

I think that the role of super delegates should be circumscribed so that the will of primary and caucus voters could not be overturned at a national convention.

Are you running on a slate with other candidates? If so, who are the other candidates running on your slate and what was the process for choosing these candidates to run with you?

I’m running on a slate with Karen Bernal, Mal Burnstein, Mayme Hubert and Ralph Miller. I spoke with those candidates and decided that we have a shared commitment to progressive principles, very complementary skills and a basis for strong working relationships for pursuing progressive goals on the Democratic National Committee.

What experience has prepared you to run as a DNC member?

The aggregate of my 40 years of experience as a political activist and analyst -- including as a member of the State Central Committee and the national advisory board of Progressive Democrats of America as well as dozens of other progressive organizations -- has prepared me to run for the DNC.

On which committee(s) would you like to serve and what are your personal
goals for each committee?

I’d like to serve on the DNC’s Resolutions Committee. My personal goals for the DNC committees are:

--- Rules & Bylaws:

Clarity and equity within all party structures and procedures.

--- Credentials:

High-quality planning and implementation based on fairness that can mitigate against divisive internal conflicts.

--- Resolutions:

Support for viable progressive positions that can draw widening support and contribute to Election Day victories.

--- Budget & Finance:

Solid financial development for a sustained 50-state strategy on the basis of growth and transparency.

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DNC Questionnaire – Ralph Miller (received 5-26-08)

Ralph I. Miller

2 Tamal Vista Lane

Kentfield, CA 94904

h. 415.925.1077 c. 415.250.9500

6^th AD Executive Board Representative

Member, CDP Hispanic and Progressive Caucuses

Board Member, Latinos for America

Candidate Statement:

Progressive government is the cornerstone of progressive change in America.
A progressive Democratic Party will help ensure the long-term survival of the Party and an expansive engagement of grassroots and community leaders in the process of leading our party and our nation. My primary objective in running for election to the Democratic National Committee is to provide an independent progressive voice for the Latino/Hispanic community in setting the course for progressive change in America and selecting our national leadership.

Progressive E-Board Coalition

DNC Candidate Questionnaire

If you are an incumbent DNC member, what have you done as a DNC member to
promote the progressive agenda on the following issues:
a) Ending the US occupation of Iraq

b) Eliminating Poverty

C) Universal Single-Payer Healthcare

D) Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted as cast)
E) Preventing a US attack on Iran
F) Preserving a free and open Internet
G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney

H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration
I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality

If you are not an incumbent, what have you done to address the issues enumerated above?

a) Ending the US occupation of Iraq

I have discussed and written regarding the illegality of the War in Iraq and the disproportionate impact of the War on Hispanic-American communities.
I have marched to Oppose and End the War.

b) Eliminating Poverty

Working with Marin Grassroots Leadership Academy to help train and engage Latinos in the San Rafael, CA, area to formalize their legal status in the USA, engage in vocational training, and participate at the political level.

C) Universal Single-Payer Healthcare

Support, included as topic of training activities.

D) Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted as cast)

Actively supported, campaigned and produced Spanish and English Radio Spots for Debra Bowen’s campaign for Secretary of State.

E) Preventing a US attack on Iran

Strongly oppose pre-emptive action against Iran.

F) Preserving a free and open Internet

Support. Writing blogs.

G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney

Support.

H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration

Support.

I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality

Support equal rights at all levels.

) Promoting public financing of elections

Support. Helped with training in Oregon (Democracy for Oregon), on this
issue and discussed at length with proponents and detractors. I believe public
financing of elections can help bring about increased transparency and
reduced dependence on private interest groups for those seeking office.
K) Abolishing the death penalty

I moved to California 25+ years ago in some part because of our we did not
have the death penalty, then worked on retaining Rose Bird (worked against the
recall). Unfortunately, we lost. I do not believe we have the right to
take any life and there are too many instances where errors have led to wrongful
convictions for me to ever feel comfortable with arguments that attempt to
justify the death penalty on a "tough on crime" basis.

L) Promoting alternative energy/energy independence

Absolutely support, and have also discussed, lectured, and appeared on radio
addressing the issue of nuclear energy as an impractical solution to energy
independence. Renewable energy is the only way to go, but we need to be
careful not to accept any single solution as a panacea. The real solution is a
combination of localized solutions such as wind, solar, etc., as appropriate.

If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted for the most recent 178-billion dollar war package?

Firmly Against.

How have you used your activism or Party involvement to challenge the leadership's support for war funding?

Building support for opposing the funding with other Members of Congress.

Have you ever supported an insurgent primary candidate or someone who is challenging

an incumbent on the issues?

Yes

Explain.

I worked with the Howard Dean for President Campaign, Jerry McNerney (write-in campaign and vis-à-vis Steve Filson), Charlie Brown (1^st and 2^nd campaigns), and am supporting Mark Leno over incumbent Carole Migden in SD-3.

What qualifies you, in terms of your organizing work, to represent progressive values on the E-Board? or Why should progressives on the CDP E-Board vote for you as a DNC delegate?

I have a short, but active engagement in Latino/Hispanic organizing and training around the country through Latinos for America, of which I was a co-founder, Latinos for Dean, of which I was California Chair, and Democracy for America, as founding trainer of the DFA Training Academy.

Working through the DNC will not be a new experience for me. As Hispanic Caucus Whip for the Howard Dean for DNC Chair race, I was responsible for culling the endorsement of the caucus to endorse Governor Dean on first ballot.

In my work as 6th AD E-Board Representative to the CDP, I have been a stalwart champion of openness and accountability in the management of the State party's financial and organizational structures.

As one of the lead architects of the California 58-County Plan, recently adopted by the CDP for grassroots engagement, I understand the importance of reaching out to every community and every voter through a strong and locally-focused network of neighborhood and community visibility programs.

Do you think we should have super delegates? Why or why not?

Yes. I think the Party benefits from a wide and varied representation by members who have demonstrated their commitment, vision and activism to building the Party and engaging voters through the promotion of strong Democratic values. The participation of “Super” delegates in the nomination of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Nominees, however, should be guided by the principle of balanced representation of their constituencies.

Are you running on a slate with other candidates? If so, who are the other candidates running on your slate and what was the process for choosing these candidates to run with you?

Yes, I am running with Mayme Hubert, Mal Burnstein, Karen Bernal and Norman Solomon. Karen, Mayme and Mal are officers of the Progressive Caucus; Norman and I are active members. The process in which I engaged was entirely personal association with each of the others.

What experience has prepared you to run as a DNC member?

During the course of the Dean for DNC campaign, I spoke with nearly all the members of the Hispanic Caucus, the California, Texas, New York and delegations from numerous other states, and the national leadership. This experience uniquely prepares me to serve the Latino/Hispanic community on the DNC. I specifically understand the key challenges and important issues affecting Hispanics and Progressives in America. I have several professional acquaintances and friends who are currently serving on the DNC.

As co-founder of Latinos for America in 2004, I trained Spanish-speaking activists and leaders around the country. During the past four years I have nurtured a close association between LFA and Democracy for America. Together, we have been able to extend this engagement to thousands of progressive activists in almost every state of the Union.

On which committee(s) would you like to serve and what are your personal goals for each committee?

Rules & Bylaws and Budget & Finance

## ##

Progressive E-Board Coalition

DNC Candidate Questionnaire (received 5/26/08 8:49 PM)

Karen Bernal

24 Riverpebble Ct.

Sacramento, CA 95833

h. 916.359.2151 c. 916.812.1793

If you are an incumbent DNC member, what have you done as a DNC member to
promote the progressive agenda on the following issues:

a) Ending the US occupation of Iraq
b) Eliminating Poverty
d) Promoting Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
d) Ensuring Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted as cast)
e) Preventing a US attack on Iran
f) Preserving a free and open Internet
g) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney
h) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration
i) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality

j) Promoting public financing of elections

k) Abolishing the death penalty

l) Promoting alternative energy/energy independence

If you are not a DNC incumbent, what have you done to address the issues enumerated above?

a) Ending the US occupation of Iraq –

As a major contributor to the Iraq policy paper the Progressive Caucus released in Spring 2006, I have been consistent and unambiguous in my position regarding the current policy promoted by both political parties. I argued vigorously to have the language of the 2006 Platform amended to include immediate and complete withdrawal. I ran a petition drive at the 2006 State Convention which was so successful that it forced a debate which later proved to be successful for the anti-war activists in the Party. I participated in the longest sit-in of any district Congressional office with other activists to protest the war (52 days straight, 8hr shifts). A strong and ongoing media component was part of the pressure we applied to our Representative. I have organized forums, lectures, protests, marched, called, typed, written, faxed, lobbied and spoken out in protest of this immoral war here in California as well as Texas and Washington DC. When I am not busy doing all I can to stop the madness of our current course, I am doing what I can to help progressive candidates for office, such as Bill Durston for Congress.

b) Eliminating Poverty –

I am a member of the Sacramento Housing Alliance, which advocates for inclusionary housing in the Sacramento area. To truly become a more livable and egalitarian society, America must address housing for everyone in communities: seniors, people with disabilities, emancipated foster youth, others living on fixed incomes and homeless families and individuals. We are currently waging a campaign to get our City Council to adopt an ordinance for inclusionary housing in Sacramento.

c) Universal Single-Payer Healthcare

I am strong advocate for Single Payer Healthcare and have campaigned in the Sacramento area for SB 840, organizing educational events for my local group, Sacramento for Democracy with the office of State Senator Sheila Kuehl, as well as with well known campaigns around the movie SICKO. On the national level, I have participated in Progressive Democrats of America’s “Healthcare Not Warfare” campaign, which is currently part of the platform of those candidates endorsed by the national organization and calls attention to Rep. John Conyer’s bill, H.R. 676.

d) Election Integrity

Since Bush vs. Gore, and the 2004 Elections, I have felt it has been important seeing to it that our voting systems do not become the tools of a powerful few, seeking to usurp the most important right – the right to vote and have it counted as cast. I have attended Secretary of State Hearings with fellow activists, as well as lobbied and rallied in support of those leaders fighting the good fight, as well as in opposition to vendors of systems that have been proven to be unreliable and vulnerable to nefarious tampering.

e-l) While I support all of the causes listed above, I cannot be engaged in each one equally – it’s a matter of capacity. If I am not engaged in a leadership capacity on a particular topic, you can be sure I’m a loyal follower to someone else’s leadership on the issue. Sometimes we have to know when to be in a parade as much as lead one. I can state without hesitation that I have at least been active in helping to organize forums, rallies, films, lectures, events on the queried list of issues, as well as belong to organizations that advocate on behalf of them.

IMPORTANT NOTE – I noticed that Trade Policy with an emphasis on Worker’s Rights was not listed above. I think this is a hugely important topic, for the lack of it is the cause of so much misery in the world today. Since we need to defy the current unmitigated corporate dominance of our governmental affairs (that have no interest in seeing a strong working class), I believe the active support of workers’ rights everywhere, whether we are talking about unions in America, Mexico, Iraq or anywhere else, is an important step in that struggle.

If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted for the most recent 178-billion dollar war package?

I would have voted exactly like Barbara Lee – NO. The idea that we would come by our benefits on the future graves of soldiers and civilians alike is abhorrent. Any “benefits” amendments, bills or packages need to be considered as stand alone pieces of legislation, not as a part of something fundamentally at odds with the intended benefit of such bills. Approval of the sort of appropriations that have been introduced in the House is still another vote to continue the Iraq War, and worse, could be used to escalate one with Iran.

How have you used your activism or Party involvement to challenge the leadership's support for war funding?

As an organizer with the ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union), I was proud to take part in the 8hr work stoppage that occurred at all West Coast ports in protest of the war, marching and representing my Local in San Francisco that day – I view this as a direct challenge to the ongoing support of the war through funding.

As a Party activist, I am outspoken on the issue and